Quirkcast (Quirkcast)

The Horizon telescope has captured the first ever image of a black hole. (ref: https://eventhorizontelescope.org/) Within the picture, there may be a hint of a so called photon ring. New research has shown some hint that this photon ring may be part of a hologram structure that could capture a Universe. (ref: https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.05064). This episode explores the importance of this new finding.

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In this episode of our podcast, we delve into a question that has puzzled scientists and enthusiasts alike: Does a photon, the particle of light, have mass? Join us as we illuminate the intriguing physics behind light, journeying from the basics of electromagnetic waves to the cutting-edge of quantum theory. We'll explore the historical debates, the experiments that shaped our understanding, and the implications of a massless versus a massive photon. Along the way, we'll also discuss how this seemingly simple question impacts everything from the theory of relativity to the way we perceive the universe. Whether you're a physics buff or just someone who's curious about the nature of light, this episode promises to shine a light on one of the most fascinating questions in modern physics.

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Why do we keep hearing about "quantum" stuff?

Why should we even care?

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Aired: 2021-04-27 Tuesday 5-6pm(PT)/8-9pm(ET)

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Einstein's theory of relativity gives us a smooth and organized way to think about the universe, like a well-arranged blueprint. On the other hand, quantum physics is more like a jumble of noise and unpredictability, making it hard to fit into that neat blueprint. So, how do we make sense of these different pictures and create a clear understanding of how everything fits together in space and time? Well, it turns out that using (quantum) computer science can help us bridge the gap. Scientists have found that our universe seems to cleverly blend gravity and quantum physics, much like managing noisy data on a computer. This blending helps to keep the spacetime continuum intact as much as possible, using a technique called quantum error correction. This discovery helps us gain a better understanding of black holes. Imagine the surface of a black hole acting like a super-smart computer, simulating what's happening inside. By studying how information moves around inside a black hole, we can learn a lot about how our universe is put together and how information is stored within it.

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Spacetime may be a Quantum Circuit!

Out of the 4 spacetime dimensions, time is the only dimension that always seems to go forward. What is the ultimate cause of this phenomenon and what does that have to do with consciousness and fundamental forces? Find out in this episode

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Even though physics is ultimately an experiment driven discipline, physical theories are often discovered well before experimental validations. Without experiments, how do physicists decide what to focus on then? The answer comes down to the notion of beauty. How do we judge the beauty of a theory then? In particular, for the ultimate theory of everything?

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If our laws of physics look symmetrical both forward and backward in time, is it then possible to have time flow backward instead of forward? What would our world look like it the flow of time does change? From the big bang to anti-particles, we explore the physics behind the reversal of the flow of time.

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Aired: 2021-10-05 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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The God's particle is a misnomer in particle physics: The Higgs Boson doesn't participate very much in the creation of our Universe. A more proper title for the Higgs Boson would be the Keystone particle, as it is the key that sets the interaction strength and relevant energies in our Universe. This episode we'll explore what that means.

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Aired: 2021-11-30 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-08-10 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Are black holes the ultimate information sinks?

Do black holes violate relativity or quantum physics?

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Aired: 2021-05-25 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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This this first episode of our Quantum Physics Demystified Series, we'll discuss what is often touted as the most sacred laws of all: the preservation of quantum information. Here we describe what it means and how it related to our everyday experience. Along the way we'll explain technical concepts such as decoherence, different quantum interpretations and how quantum physics affords us an entirely new way of viewing the world.

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The particles in our Universe do a lot of things, without them the Universe would not be the way it is today. However, amongst the known particles, some are more helpful than others. Find out which particle is the worst from a subjective (theoretical) perspective, and also through the lens of our anthropomorphized Universe.

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Aired 2021-09-14 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Unlike the ordinary time we experience, time in quantum systems behave rather differently. From unitarity to quantum recurrence, we explore just how weird quantum times can be, and how our macroscopic notion of time can merge from such a drastically different notion of quantum time.

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Aired: 2021-11-2 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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While time seems to always flow forward, is it ever possible for it to end? As it turns out, there might be more than just one ending.

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Aired: 2021-10-12 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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We've all heard of the 3 phases of matter, but what about forces? It turns out, fundamental forces can have different phases just like matter. Like matter, these phases can and do change as external influences like temperature changes. In our Universe, all 3 phases are utilized by our fundamental forces, and they are critical in shaping the structure of our Universe

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Aired: 2021-08-03 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-10-19 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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Black hole is a testing ground for the structure of spacetime, but it turns out that when we include quantum physics, the concept of spacetime itself is doomed. In this episode we'll explore why space is doomed, and what should be its replacement.

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In this special Valentine Day's episode, we’ll introduce what may be considered the loneliest particles in the Universe -- magnetic monopoles, if it exists. Indeed, on this very same day in 1982, Prof. Blas Cabrera uncovered a potential signal for such a lonely wanderer. Unfortunately the findings were never repeated. Still monopoles can be hiding important secrets of nature, and its loneliness may critically impact the structure of our Universe.

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An interview with Dr. Farzan Beroz. We ran into some technical difficulties with this episode, so the audio might be a bit wonky for this episode. 

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Aired: 2021-06-01 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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Aired: 2021-07-06 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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Aired: 2021-07-13 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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What is causing the expansion?

Is the expansion speeding up?

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Aired: 2021-03-02 Tuesday 5-6pm(PT)/8-9pm(ET)

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What keeps our nuclei stuck together? It's the somewhat less well-known particle, gluon. They reason we don't see it very much is because it is doing a superb job at jail-keeping its nuclear constituents. Gluons' peculiar abilities to keep things together may also provide us unlimited clean energy in the future. In this episode we'll describe just how the gluon manages to do its jobs and its importance for our Universe.

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If there's anything that could last forever, it might be fundamental particles. However, even that may not be true. In fact, particles can and do lose their identity over time, and their existence may ultimately be doomed.

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Aired: 2021-12-07 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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Are there other Universes?

How special is ours?

Aired: 2021-02-16 Tuesday 5 pm PT/8pm ET

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What is the one particle that cannot be stopped? The answer would have to be the graviton. While the graviton interacts with everything, it also passes through everything mostly unscathed. This unique property makes graviton one of the greatest messengers of the Universe.

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Welcome to our episode on mirror universes. We'll be discussing how our universe might have a mirror image, flipping things around in a kind of cosmic reflection. We'll explore the idea of particles having mirror versions (parity), transforming into opposites (charge conjugation), and even going backward in time (time reversal). It's like a puzzle of the cosmos that physicists are trying to solve. Join us for a laid-back conversation about these concepts and the potential existence of mirror particles. Whether you're into science or just curious about the mysteries of the universe, this episode aims to make these complex ideas a bit more understandable. Tune in to Quirkcast for an exploration of the world of mirror universes.

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To what extend is our Universe self-similar?

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Aired: 2021-06-15 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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Aired: 2021-10-26 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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It has been widely popularized that our Universe will end in a heat death, where all interesting activities will cease. But is this really what will happen? With the inclusion of quantum physics, it turns out that heat death may not be so deadly after-all. In fact, there can still be interesting interactions after heat death, and in some cases, new universe can even emerge from the remains...

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Our understand of the physical world is based on abstract mathematics and equations, but how much of that is invented vs discovered? The answer isn't as obvious as what you might think...

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Aired: 2021-06-22 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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How do we find out?

What does it even mean?

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Aired: 2021-04-13 Tuesday 5-6pm(PT)/8-9pm(ET)

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Can one equation explain it all?

How can we find out?

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Aired: 2021-03-16 Tuesday 5-6pm(PT)/8-9pm(ET)

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Aired 2021-09-21 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-11-16 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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The Department of Energy recently announced a breakthrough in fusion science research https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-n... So how much of this is reality vs hype? How far away are we still from achieving fusion energy? Find out what the physics is about in this episode.

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In this captivating episode of Quirkcast, we delve into the elusive world of virtual particles, the ghostly entities that flicker in and out of existence in the quantum realm. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of these theoretical particles, fundamental to understanding the forces and interactions at the heart of our universe. We'll explore the perplexing nature of these particles, governed by the uncertainty principle, and how they play a pivotal role in quantum field theory, influencing everything from the forces within an atom to the vast expanse of the cosmos. Our journey will also illuminate the significance of Feynman diagrams in visualizing the complex interactions involving virtual particles. Whether you're a seasoned physicist or just curious about the wonders of the quantum world, this episode is your gateway to comprehending one of the most intriguing aspects of modern science. Tune in to "Quantum Shadows: Unveiling the Enigma of Virtual Particles" for an intellectual adventure into the heart of quantum physics.

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There are lots of uncertainties in our world. However, many of the uncertainties are caused by our ignorance and not considered true randomness. Quantum physics is usually depicted as the ultimate source of uncertainty in our world. However, quantum physics itself does not contain any non-deterministic equations, so where is the source of randomness? It turns out, the answer is entanglement. In this episode we'll describe why.

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Welcome to another episode of Quirkcast, where we take a look at the dichotomy of two types of fundamental particles: bosons vs fermions. Today, we'll explore how these particles types play a crucial role in shaping the stability of matter, influencing the dynamics of chemistry, and the complexities of nuclear physics. It's not just theoretical—these categories have tangible effects on the world around us. As we delve into the subject, we'll uncover interesting quirks of bosons vs fermions, such as their ability to switch roles and create intriguing materials like superfluids and superconductors. It's a journey into the unexpected side of physics, where small changes in particle behavior lead to some surprising outcomes. Additionally, we'll touch on some cutting-edge theories proposing that bosons and fermions could be different expressions of the same underlying concept. These are fascinating concepts that might reshape our understanding of the quantum universe. So join us on Quirkcast as we explore the practical and thought-provoking aspects of bosons and fermions in the world of particle physics.

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Aired: 2021-07-27 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Quantum physics is often portrayed as this mysterious realm of the subatomic with little relevance to real life. Part of the confusion is due to the multitude of complicated "interpretations" quantum physics carries. In this episode we'll demystified this confusion and show how quantum physics is relevant in the way we view the Universe.

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A recent paper on nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s4158... announced the first quantum computer simulation of a wormhole like objects. This leads to many popular science article to proclaim that wormholes have been discovered. So how much of the news is fact or fiction? We'll find out in this episode.

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Entropy is often linked to chaos and disorder, but what is it really, and why do we need to involve quantum physics? In this episode we'll explore fully just what entropy is measuring and dispel some common myths.

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Aired: 2021-08-20 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-11-9 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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Join us on Quirkcast for a casual exploration of the intriguing world of symmetries in physics. We'll chat about how these fundamental principles play a role in everything, from the tiniest particles to the vast structures of the universe. Discover the beauty of symmetrical patterns in nature and their impact on scientific theories, as we unravel mysteries from the quantum scale to cosmic dimensions. We'll also touch on the significance of the different types of symmetries in the laws of physics and how it leads to groundbreaking discoveries, like the Higgs boson. With discussions and insights from experts, this episode is a casual journey into the simplicity and order that symmetries bring to our understanding of the universe.

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In particle physics, particles aren't necessarily the most important object. It turns out, physicists really are interested in the concept of fields, which will be the focus of this episode.

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Can it be done?

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Aired: 2021-06-22 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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Aired 2021-09-21 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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What is entropy? 

Is entropy really increasing? 

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Aired: 2021-03-30 Tuesday 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-09-28 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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Aired: 2021-07-13 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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If objects that fall inside a blackhole can never escape, how do we know if the inside exists or not? Quantum physics suggests that perhaps the black hole's interior may not exist at all from an observer outside. This complementarity principle, along with other interesting behaviors of black holes, are key sources of conflicts between quantum physics and general relativity. We'll explore some of these concepts in this episode.

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Do we live in a box? 

What does it all mean? 

Aired: 2021-02-02 Tuesday 5 pm PT/8pm ET

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Newton's law says that objects keep moving unless something stops them. This also applies to objects spinning around. Usually, things need to have a shape to spin, like a ball or a top. But in the world of tiny particles in quantum physics, even things without a shape, like fundamental particles, can spin. It's a bit weird because they don't spin around anything—they just have this property called "spin." This spin thing is important in quantum physics because it has some strange features, like not having a specific direction to spin and having unique properties useful for things like quantum computers. So in this episode, we'll dive into how these spins work in the quantum world.

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Aired: 2021-08-17 5 pm PT/ 8 pm ET

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Life possesses a superpower: the ability to seemingly defy the second law of thermodynamics – the unstoppable rise of entropy. From skyscrapers to poetry, life can evolve and create ever-more complex structures, apparently bringing order out of chaos and challenging the universe's entropy machine. However, we will discover that this remarkable feat is not exclusive to life; it can be found elsewhere in nature. From the swirling complexity of tornadoes to the orderly patterns of crystals, nature exhibits a knack for generating order amidst chaos. Interestingly, even self-duplication and evolution may be viewed as ultimately contributing to entropy. In this episode, we'll explore how, despite the apparent creation of order, the universe's entropy machine ultimately prevails. Counterintuitively, life itself may be viewed as an entropy machine in the grand cosmic narrative. Join us at Discord Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/qPuVBXNZ

How do we know when a particle can be split?

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Aired: 2021-06-08 Tuesday 5-5:30pm(PT)/8-8:30pm(ET)

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2022 Nobel prize was awarded to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger. But just what exactly were their achievements? In this episode, we'll explore the details in an accessible way, from entanglement to bell's inequality.

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Aired: 2021-11-23 5 pm PT/8 pm ET

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